More on Mrs. Lincoln's [non] faux pas

[L Verge]

I am saying that Mrs. Lincoln was not a blood relative of Baker and therefore was not bound to dress all in black. I am also insinuating that Prof. Burlingame picks and chooses his historical citations in reference to the First Lady in order to address his personal opinions. Given the 1887 citation, the distant date from the occasion makes it questionable as does the word "reminiscences" in describing Mr. Usher's citation - and to see that it came through the Eisenschiml Papers makes me even more suspicious.

And Gene, you are absolutely correct in assuming that someone of Mrs. Lincoln's social standing (from childhood on) would know proper etiquette. Her weakest time on the social scene would have been her early years of marriage to a "prairie lawyer." BTW: Has anyone researched how long Mr. Lincoln remained in mourning for his friend? Did he wear an armband or rosette in remembrance for any extended period - or at all? If so, the professor should have noted that in his bio to reinforce his ideas of the compassionate Abraham Lincoln.